Getting to Know You!

[Cari]

Ok, it's time to introduce myself, so here's my bit:

Real name: Carissa

Where do you live? San Juan, Puerto Rico

Explanation of your handle: Just my name...

Explanation of your avatar: Just my face

Age (general or specific): I'll be 29 soon.

Occupation: Recent med school dropout. Am currently venturing into distributing bike lights to local shops and riders. A friend lent me the coolest bike light I had ever seen and when I found out that nobody sells them here, I saw my opportunity and grabbed it by the horns. I'll refrain from plugging them on the board, but if you find yourself in need of a killer light... you know who to talk to.

Favorite bike: I don't know the first thing about bike models but I'm trying to convince myself to order a custom steel or titanium frame from Independent Fabrication... I just need to get over the guilt, 'cause I've never spent more than a few hundred dollars on a bike. The thing is that all the bikes I've ever ridden fit too small even though even though they're supposed to be right for my height. So if I'm going to spend an arm and a leg for my first road bike, it better fit right!

What's in your stable? A Gary Fisher Tassajara and an old Trek 830 that I keep around to lend to friends.

Fastest speed on a road bike? where? when? About 26 mph, 6 weeks or so ago, between Loiza and Piñones, on the beachside route I usually take for my long rides. I know, I'm a lightweight... just give me some time.

Another picture of yourself or your ride? You can be sure that if I get that IF road bike I'll be showing it off like a grandma with a wallet full of baby pictures.

What is the biggest lie you've ever told: I have no idea...

Most memorable moment on my bike:
The first time I hit a car. I was riding along an avenue, returning from a 60 mile ride, my longest ever. The power was out and the traffic lights weren't working, and it had just begun to drizzle so the roads were super slick. I slowed as I approached a big intersection, all the cars were stopped and some signaled to me to go ahead, so I went.

Then some creep in an ugly orangey-red wannabe sports car shot into the intersection. I braked, began to skid and leaning towards the left, so I unclipped my left foot and dragged it on the ground like an anchor. It looked like I was gonna make it, too, until some part of my bike hit the car's front bumper.

I guess I flipped over 'cause the next thing I recall was lying face up on the steamy asphalt looking at the sky, and my riding buddy saying to me, "Partner, we're in an intersection, get yourself up off the road." I ran my hands around my helmet. I didn't feel any warm, sticky wet spots and everything seemed to be in its place so I let him pull me up off the ground.

There was an old lady who had been crossing the street in front of me who waved her umbrella angrily at the driver and yelled, "You saw her! Everybody saw her!" Except for her, all the cars were stopped and several other persons who had been waiting to cross the street stood still, looking dumbfounded. As soon as I got out of the driver's way, he crossed the intersection and sped off, and everything seemed to move again. My riding partner says he caught a glance of a tarty-looking woman in the passenger seat pretending to file her nails as if nothing had happened.

I don't know how exactly I flipped over and hit the ground without breaking anything, but I thank God that I didn't hurt myself. All I have are two tiny souvenir scars from where I scraped myself on the pavement, one each on my right knee and elbow.

Most fun ever had on a bike?
Last Saturday morning's ride. It's a long, winding rural road with rolling hills and a canopy of trees that keeps the air cool and provides welcome protection from the sizzle of the tropical sun. I used to ride there about once a week but never alone. My morning riding partner has been flakey lately so last weekend I finally went by myself. It was so awesome, I felt like that road was mine. I love hills and curves so it was a lot of fun and very empowering. The coolest part was that it so much easier than ever before. Part of what I love about riding is that even though I'm not as good as I'd like to be, I can always count on the fact that as long as I keep working at it, I will keep getting better.